God Speaking

“For I am the Lord, your God, who takes hold of your right hand and says to you, Do not fear, I will help you.” (Isaiah 41:13)

I can remember my mother saying to me when I was a little girl and we were about to cross a busy street, “Hold on tightly to my hand and you will be safe.” I grew up to be a mother myself and repeated the same words to my four little girls and lo and behold they had little children themselves and history repeated itself as I held my grandchildren’s hands and trust flowed between us. The circle of time always brings about changes and this was brought sharply to my attention in an incident that happened when my family was visiting a night market. This was an exciting place held in the evening in the summer as little booths were set up with all sorts of goods and food to sell, but it proved to be a very popular place to visit in the warm evenings and became very crowded with people jostling each other though narrow passages. I was beginning to feel overwhelmed by so many people when my eldest granddaughter, now a young lady and much taller than I, called to me, “Nana hold my hand and I will lead you through.” Suddenly the roles were reversed! This lovely young lady did not need my hand I needed hers.

Life often revolves around the simple act of holding hands. We see it beside the hospital bed. Just holding the hand of a suffering one can bring reassurance, an expression of love, comfort can flow through the warmth of another’s hand. We see it in times of sadness when words are inadequate, but the soft pressure of a sympathetic hand can convey more that words. We see it in times of danger as another reaches out to grasp the hand of someone being swept away by flood waters We see it as the fit and able hold the hand of the disabled to prevent them stumbling. We see it as a form of unity as people join hands to show a common concern or a common goal. Holding hands binds us together.

Our Heavenly Father knew that in various times in our lives we need the assurance that his mighty hand is close by;

“I have set the Lord always before me. Because he is at my right hand, I will not be shaken.” (Psalm 16:8)

He reminds us that even though our walk might have rough patches along it, we will not be overcome by adversity;

“If the Lord delights in a man’s way, he makes his steps firm; though he stumble, he will not fall, for the Lord upholds him with his hand.” (Psalm 37:23 – 24)

Jesus reinforces the Father’s love for us and reminds us that when we grasp his hand nothing or nobody can wrench us away from his protective power.

“My Father, who has given them to me, is greater than all; no one can snatch them out of my Father’s hand.” (John 10:29)

When we grasp the joy of knowing we are held fast by our Lord’s hand, we are more willing to use our own hands in loving affirmation of others. We are also more willing to let others extend their hands to us. Our hands can become an instrument of peace. This old hymn sums up the blessed assurance we can hang on to.

My hand is in my Father’s hand

Tho’ fierce the winds do blow

Why should I fear

While he is near

He will not let me go.

Related articles

• When You Stumble, God is There Holding Your Hand (chronicillnesspaindevotionals.wordpress.com)
• hold my hand (trust4god.wordpress.com)
• John 10:29 “Handle” with care (klandryblog.wordpress.com)